I made the decision a few weeks ago to stop driving for the rest of the year - save for Alfa day to play with the NW H-T guys next month.

I've got my ITR's motor apart. Leak down was good - no bent valves. I've still got to plastigage the rod bearings, but none look to have any gross trouble.

I spent some time Saturday visting local Kart tracks. I got to the one with an event going after things had quieted down for the nite, and talked to the track/shop owner for a while. He was recommending Rotax Max (a sealed spec 125 non-shifter rear brake only) as ideal for low maintenance sport/training use. Victor had mentioned these as catching on in BC earlier this year. You get about 50 hours on a motor build, and tires cost less than $200 per set. $5k puts you into a running kart. I'm sure another couple of thousand would finish the basic package of tools, spares, and driver gear. There is still the issue of transporting it.

Looking forward to a winter of not driving, saving money and working on the plan for next year is really missing something important. But, as with anything, it seems like if you want to save money, you have to spend some more. And to think that all of this is because I already don't have enough money.

I'm sure it's kind of nutty to think that this much more can fit into this life. But it's not as nutty as getting a motorcycle (last weeks agonized obsession).

This is what happens when you try to set down the Go Fast Crack Pipe - even when you're just reloading!

Scott, who has been spending time reading on this board: http://www.ekartingnews.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi

 

"The more you spend, the more you save."

 

What!!? I'm hoping you still have the RS title wrapped up?

It was a real pleasure watching you race this year, Scott. Those couple of early rain races were really great to watch. I glad I had a chance to meet you and Iappreciate the knowledge and advice you emparted over the year. I'm looking forward to getting the chance to drive a lapping day with you and the rest of the NW guys.

Great season Dude!

Cheers

 

Greg,

My RS championship is well locked up - with one race left I'm at 196 points with second at 111 (28 points for a race win).

It was a great season from where I was sitting too. The only things missing were the calls from Scott Zellner or Peter Cunningham offering me a seat. I did have some firm offers of free beer on the east coast though.

Scott, who's glad that the Northwest H-T guys all got to know each other better this year and that there are going to be more of us racing next year......

 

I think I'm in the same boat as you Scott. There's several more track days left (PR, Mission, PIR) and at least one more school at PIR this year that are very tempting, but unfortunately, they all seem to happen during the week. I burned up a lot of vacation time early this year and my wife and I are still trying to plan a golf trip to Arizona in October. I was hoping to do my first Conference race on the 28th at PIR, but I think I'll just wait until 2003.

One good thing about calling it quits right now is I'll have a few more paychecks that I can put towards that motor rebuild, quaiffe, final drive, tire, wheel, seat, fire system budget for this winter. It's already been a busy season. Hell, I crashed a car, bought a new one, spent a lot of money, and made pretty damn good progress building and running the new race car. At least I can still go out and autocross the thing for the next few months. Unless a deal drops from the sky where I can do a cheap track day on a dry weekend close to my house, I think I'm done for 2002.

Congrats on the RS season finish!

 

John,

You ARE coming down Saturday October 12th for Alfa Club aren't you?

Scott, who is shocked - shocked - to find so many people hooked on the GFCP....

 

Must.... resist...... temtations....
Shoot, I dunno Scott. Do you know what their fee is? Entry form link? Will your motor be back together by then?

John -- who only "thought" he was done, but who also has never been on track with Scott and all the NW guys at the same time. Ignore my previous post because I'm way too easily swayed.

 

John,

Alfa club doesn't allow pre-registration for other marques. Cost is approx $100. Show up by 7:30 and no problem getting in usually.

Yes, my motor will be back together by then. Passenger seat and harness will be installed too. I think both Greg and I were envisioning this as a NW H-T school with intense instruction - especially in the demonstration mode.

Scott, who hopes John is sufficiently swayed....."dude, it's not like it's real crack you know".....


[Modified by RR98ITR, 5:05 PM 9/16/2002]

 

Well, I now have two bad motors. The first one has some kind of knock that I think is a rod bearing. The second one has a blown headgasket plus I'm not sure if the vtec was kicking in which means low oil pressure which means too much clearance in the bearings, maybe. We were able to win with motor #2 a couple of weekends ago. We had to baby it for the last 15 minutes of the enduro but still finished 5 laps up on the next class competitor. That is what happens when you try to race old, tried street motors this old.

The problem is that we are in first place for the championship. I really want to win, too. We have a decent points lead but it most definitely isn't sewn up. I guess I am going to find out how much more power an IT spec engine can make. Man, there better be some overtime coming up. @ this rate, I will never be able to an enclosed trailer.

Why is racing such a bottomless pit?

 

I think there's this thing where we have to prove to ourselves that "I can do it." Paradoxically, the more time we spend *not* getting it done, the more motivated we are to work harder. And (as Vonnegut wrote)..."So it goes."

It's like a friend of mine who golfs. When asked why he kept trying, he told me that there were a few times where he hit the perfect shot. The desire to do that again kept him on the golf course. I submit that our afliction is pretty darned similar.

 

It's a good analogy for a couple of reasons. The "perfect shot" aspect is one of them. Logic (or lack thereof) being, if I did it once, I can do it again. If you've ever chipped one in from off the green, or stuck it inside 6' from 150 yards, you'll be back for more, even if you shot in the high 90's for the full 18 holes (don't ask me how I know this ). Also, if you choose, you can play as though it's only you against the course, whereby you take what the course gives you (called course management), choose your shots carefully, and you plan strategically where you want to be aggressive and take some risks. Alternately, if you're in a foursome w/ your friends and you've devised some permutation of wagering on the outcome of the game (e.g., skins), then playing to win or halve the hole requires that you try things you wouldn't try otherwise, where things can get a bit desperate and ugly. Also, and in general, golf is a technically demanding game, both physically and mentally. You need to have good fundamentals, strength and flexibility to hit the long ball, and a good touch and finesse to chip and putt. All the while you need to have you head screwed on straight. Being mentally tough can help compensate for other shortcomings of your game.

So depending on your inclinations and experience, whether you're involved w/ Solo I, Solo II, or wheel-to-wheel racing, I believe Karl is right that there are many similarities between golf and "racing." And it's very easy to have a love/hate relationship with either or both...

Ever notice that you race on a "course" and golf on a "course"? Coincidence? I don't think so!

 

Nice analogy! Not to turn this into the golf channel, but it's interesting really. Several years ago, before I was bitten by the GFCP, I was considering playing golf for a living. It consumed all my spare time and I was a good enough player to eventually make it a reality. Now all I think about is how I want to be a better/faster driver.

I haven't played much golf in a last few years but since my wife picked up the game this season, I've been out more often. I can still remember that old familiar feeling I once had about that passion. I just can't seem to give only 50% effort and settle on something. For me, it's all or nothing.